March 19, 1998 No. 60

CANADA TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL DAY

OF LA FRANCOPHONIE

Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for la Francophonie Diane Marleau is pleased to announce that Canada will celebrate the International Day of la Francophonie on March 20. This day will provide Canadians and Francophones all over the world with an opportunity to celebrate la Francophonie, an international association of 52 countries and governments representing over 250 million people.

March 20 commemorates the creation of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Co-operation (ACCT) in Niamey, Niger in 1970. Since the 1995 Summit in Cotonou, Benin, the ACCT has officially been known as L'Agence de la Francophonie.

"La Francophonie is a community of peoples involved in a dialogue of co-operation," said Minister Marleau. "As more than 8.5 million Canadians speak French, Canada's membership is an important international projection of its national personality and a means to promote Canada's French language and culture at an international level."

Madame Marleau added that Canada's presence also promotes justice, democracy, peace and understanding. In 1997, Canada participated in the Francophonie Games in Madagascar and the Hanoi Summit.

"Canada is an active and enthusiastic member of la Francophonie and is proud to have been selected as host of both the 1999 Summit, in Moncton, New Brunswick and the 2001 Francophonie Games in Ottawa-Hull," said Madame Marleau.

As part of the festivities for the International Day of la Francophonie, Minister Marleau invited representatives of member countries to a ceremony at Parliament Hill on March 20, during which the Prix de la Francophonie internationale, the Prix de la Francophonie nationale, and the Ordre de la Pléiade de l'Assemblée internationale des parlementaires de langue française (International Assembly of French-Speaking Parliamentarians) will be awarded.

In addition to these ceremonies, Canadian missions abroad will take part in a number of activities ranging from film festivals to book donations, and organize contests and exhibitions celebrating the International Day of la Francophonie.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

André Doren

Office of the Minister for International Cooperation and

Minister responsible for La Francophonie

(819) 997-6919

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs

and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca